Winter has arrived and adventures await. The breathtaking city of Kanab is an ideal place to explore this time of year. There are fewer tourists, the temperatures are mild, the air is crisp and refreshing, and the red rock landscapes will connect you with nature in a new way. Kanab is a small-town bursting with life and is just a short distance from Zion National Park.  

But no adventure is complete without a buddy, and a new animal companion is waiting for you at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Nestled in the majestic mountains, it is the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary, giving cats, dogs, horses, pigs, birds, bunnies, and other animals a safe place to grow, along with a chance to be adopted by an individual or family. 

Maybe you’re not able to adopt a new pet right now but want to give some animals in need some love this winter. Volunteering with the animals is just as important and welcome. Animal lovers can pet pigs, brush horses, socialize with cats, walk dogs, and more. And if you want to get a true sense of the amazing work that the heroes at the Sanctuary do every day, there are also individual animal care tours every day at Wild Friends, Parrot Garden, Bunny House, Cat World, Dogtown, Horse Haven, and Piggy Paradise, as well as a Grand Sanctuary tour. All tours are free and family friendly. 

Whether you’ve brought your furry companion with you or adopted a new one at the Sanctuary, another way to start your new year off right is by staying at the Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile. Stay three or more consecutive nights from January 1 through February 19, 2026, and you will receive a professional portrait of you and your pet, a latte topped with your pet’s face in foam (yes, really!), and a Best Friends mug and hot cocoa mix. Plus, your pup will walk away with a special treat, too!  

Every Roadhouse stay also includes a complimentary vegan continental breakfast and two lunch passes to the Sanctuary – proof that unforgettable adventures don’t have to break the bank. To discover the magic of the Sanctuary and to plan your stay, visit bestfriendsroadhouse.org or call (435) 644-3400. 

As Julie Barger, director of visitor experience at Best Friends Animal Society, said, "Winter is a wonderful time to visit Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. It's quiet, serene, and so incredibly beautiful – a truly magical destination for any animal lover."